NHS plans to redirect non-urgent A&E patients to return later
7 reported2 unconfirmed
According to a report by The Guardian, NHS England is planning to tell patients who arrive at A&E with non-urgent ailments to come back another time, aiming to prevent overcrowding and avoid the usual winter crisis. Eighteen hospitals in England already use "digital triage assessment" to help staff decide which patients need immediate care or alternative treatment. Patients with minor ailments may be told to return later that day or the next day, or be referred to a GP or pharmacy. NHS England’s chief executive, Jim Mackey, urged all hospitals to implement this "hi-tech concierge service" at the NHS ConfedExpo conference in Manchester. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine disclosed that over 1,300 patients a month die due to A&E overcrowding in England. The Patients Association cautioned that the digital triage must work for all patients, including those with limited digital access.
What’s reported
Eighteen hospitals in England already use "digital triage assessment" for A&E patients.
Patients with non-urgent ailments may be told to come back later that day or the next day, or be referred to a GP or pharmacy.
Jim Mackey, NHS England’s chief executive, urged all hospitals to implement the "hi-tech concierge service" at the NHS ConfedExpo conference in Manchester.
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine disclosed that over 1,300 patients a month die due to A&E overcrowding in England.
East Lancashire teaching hospitals NHS trust found the triage tool nearly halved average waiting times from 178 minutes to 94 minutes.
NHS England could not say how many patients at the 18 hospitals are told to come back at another time.
Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, cautioned that digital triage must work for all patients, including those with limited digital access.
Open questions
How many patients at the 18 hospitals are told to come back at another time.
How the digital triage will be implemented at all hospitals.
Key figures
Jim Mackey, NHS England’s chief executive
Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association
Royal College of Emergency Medicine (organization)
Sources: The Guardian
